Animals in tune for blessing

Poppy the retriever trotted happily into St John's Anglican Church in Dannevirke on Sunday, keen to take part in the animal blessing.

"Poppy likes going in the car and she was quite happy to come here today," owners Paul and Christine Simpson said.

Joining Poppy were dogs, lambs, a rabbit and guinea pig, a large, blue elephant and a bird who could whistle Colonel Bogey, owner Liz Jackson said.

And tweet he did, in tune to the music during the service.

For the new vicar of Southern Hawke's Bay, Jo Crosse, the service may not have been a first, but the wide variety of animals certainly was.

"Last year I took part in a service at Otane, but it was mainly attended by littlies with their lambs," she said.

Manager of Dannevirke SPCA Laura Phillips gave the reading, Genesis 20 to 25, before the congregation sang All Creatures of our God and King, with the dogs barking to the music.

"God created us and placed us on earth to care for all living things," Rev Crosse said during the blessing.

Tas was first up to be blessed in the careful hands of Jo Carruthers, Dannevirke SPCA's operations adviser.

After the service, the dogs barked enthusiastically while Brian Jackson nipped outside quickly with the two lambs.

"They've been very good but we wouldn't want to risk it too long," his wife Cheryl said.